Dahman's BOTTAS (c, 2, Vekoma–Iadorakid, by Lemon Drop Kid) found himself in tight quarters with push coming to shove in Friday's GII Pilgrim Stakes at Aqueduct, but he sliced through a narrow opening at the eighth pole and refused to let Heeere's Johnny (Oscar Performance) push past, scoring by a head. The 8 1/2-furlong contest serves as a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar on Oct. 31.Named a 'TDN Rising Star', presented by Hagyard off an impressive 2 1/4-length debut score going this same distance up at Saratoga in the Travers Day opener Aug. 23, the $300,000 OBS April breezer gained a forward position beneath Manny Franco and managed to slot in down on the fence behind dueling longshot leaders at the entry to the first turn.Racing to the inside of Heeere's Johnny from midfield as they hit the half-mile pole, Bottas was beaten to the punch by Heeere's Johnny, but jumped back into the bridle and was five wide into the lane. Fellow 'Rising Star' Capital Partner (GB) (Kingman {GB}) was forced out into and bumped with the 6-5 Bottas, but the chalk battled on bravely and managed to hold off a game Heeere's Johnny in the run to the wire.Sales history: $300,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O-Dahman; B-BCS Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Miguel Clement BOTTAS is now 2-for-2 after winning the Grade 2 Pilgrim Stakes with @jockeyfranco up for trainer @clementstable, earning a spot in the @BreedersCup Juvenile Turf! pic.twitter.com/pPoP22Ar99— NYRA () (@TheNYRA) October 3, 2025The post Vekoma Colt Bottas Refuses To Lie Down In Pilgrim appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.